The Anambra State Chapter of the Nigerian Institute of Town Planners (NITP) has called on the state government to formally consult town planners and other built environment professionals before amending the existing Anambra State Physical Planning Law.
The State Chairman of NITP, Ifeanyi Igwilo, made the call in Awka during a visit to the Office of the Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice, Tochukwu Nweke.
Igwilo said the visit followed plans by the Ministry of Physical Planning and Urban Development to amend the existing physical planning legislation.
He stressed that any proposed reform should be inclusive, professionally guided, evidence-based and institutionally sound.
The NITP chairman urged the government to first review the implementation of the existing law and address identified administrative and institutional gaps before embarking on major amendments.
He called for broad-based consultations involving town planners, architects, engineers, surveyors, estate surveyors, environmental professionals, relevant government agencies, traditional institutions, local governments and other stakeholders.
According to Igwilo, the institute remains committed to partnering with government and relevant institutions to promote orderly, sustainable and economically vibrant human settlements across Anambra State.
He also appealed for the responsibilities of town planners and other built-environment professionals to be clearly preserved in the development approval and control process.
Former NITP Anambra State Chairman, Ben Okoye, raised concerns over the non-constitution of local planning authorities as provided for under the existing law.
Okoye argued that full implementation of the law, including the establishment of planning authorities at the local government level, could help address some challenges associated with development outside approved planning standards.
He explained that the law provides for a planning authority comprising a chairman, executive secretary, town planners, engineers, representatives of the local government works department and representatives of two communities on a rotational basis.
Okoye said the board provided for under the law had not been properly constituted over the years, which he identified as one of the institutional challenges affecting physical planning administration.
Responding, the Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice, Tochukwu Nweke, acknowledged the importance of consultation in the proposed amendment of the physical planning law.
Nweke said critical stakeholders should be carried along in the legislative process, while noting that some of the issues raised by the town planners fell outside the direct jurisdiction of his office.
He, however, pledged to liaise with the Ministry of Physical Planning and Urban Development on issues relating to the proposed law, staffing and other concerns raised by the institute.
The engagement highlights the importance of collaboration among government, professional bodies and communities in shaping physical planning policies and development standards in Anambra State.
By Enitan Mudashiru | MUK TV News
